Adcom in Channel Protection Mode. Help??

[Rolyasm]

My father was using an Adcom GFA 7000. He wanted to connect a sixth speaker to the 5 channel amp and thought he would try some crafty wiring. He took the speaker cable from the sixth speaker and split it four ways, connecting a pair to both left surround and right surround channels (thinking he would split the signal for a nice surround). When he turned it on he said the Distortion and Thermal Protection lights both flickered back and forth between the surround channels. Then the amp shut off. When he turned it back on the right surround wasn't outputing sound. I hooked up the non-functional speaker to another channel, and it works. So I know it isn't the speaker. Anyway, after reading the manual I think that the "Internal Protection" has been engaged. The manual says to seek a dealer. Is there a simple fix for this, or is it to the shop? Thanks all.
Here is a site to the manual.

http://www.adcom.com/data/manuals/gfa7000manual.pdf

Thanks,
Roly

[Azeke]

I would just say pop of the cover and see if this is a fuse issue, before you contact anyone. Just my quick thoughts.

Peace and blessings,

Azeke

[chrispy35]

He took the speaker cable from the sixth speaker and split it four ways, connecting a pair to both left surround and right surround channels (thinking he would split the signal for a nice surround).

If I'm reading this correctly, he just shorted the left/right surround outputs together! Bad bad bad! No more crafty wiring jobs for him.

Unless the channels are individually fused, I'm going to guess blown output device.

Chris P.

[Rolyasm]

I will check for fuses. I know the unit has one main fuse, but I will pop the top and look for others. If it is a blown output, is that something only a repair center can fix?
Roly

[chrispy35]

As long as you're handy with a soldering iron it shouldn't be too difficult to replace parts. Finding out which part needs to be replaced without a schematic may take some time though.

Chris P.

[Chris D]

He did WHAT? 8O

[David Meek]

If it is a blown output, is that something only a repair center can fix?

Roly, no disrespect intended here, but I think that the fact that he did this to begin with kind of answers that question. If you/he have any doubts at all about the repair then just send it in - I know I wouldn't try it. Better safe than sorry (sorrier), eh?

[Rolyasm]

Ya,
I am not an audio guru by any means. I can use a soldering iron, but 1)no schematics 2) not sure what to replace. My old man is even less inclined to such stuff as me. I could have told him not to do something as crazy as connecting the two channels (I'm not even that looney), but I thought he would know better. Also, I only see him a few times a month, so I haven't had the time to set up his equipment. Funny thing is, I just bought the amp about a two weeks ago on Ebay and gave it to him. Thought he would like the x-tra power. Kids will play. I'll pop the top just to see if there are any glaring problems, but will probably just send it in. Thanks for the suggestions.
Roly

[Rolyasm]

So I popped the top off and checked the fuses. Each board/channel has 2 fuses on it. The lower one, near the power source, looks to be blown. I have actually never seen a fuse like this. It looks like a type of cloth has been woven with the metal around it. So it basically looks like a normal fuse, only instead of just a metal strip in the middle, it looks like a cloth, white/silver strip with a winding of metal around it. The fuse I took out is melted. Do I need to replace it with the same weird fuse, or can I use any 6.3A 250V fuse that fits? Thanks.
Roly
P.S. Should I take the amp away from my father for awhile, or just send him to his room?

[Arneson]

Is his room where the sound system is?

You should find a fuse exactly like that to replace. The numbers on the fuse should identify it and It should not be uncommon.
A good audio shop should have one. Betcha you'll fix it for pennies, then scold him.

[whoaru99]

So I popped the top off and checked the fuses. Each board/channel has 2 fuses on it. The lower one, near the power source, looks to be blown. I have actually never seen a fuse like this. It looks like a type of cloth has been woven with the metal around it. So it basically looks like a normal fuse, only instead of just a metal strip in the middle, it looks like a cloth, white/silver strip with a winding of metal around it. The fuse I took out is melted. Do I need to replace it with the same weird fuse, or can I use any 6.3A 250V fuse that fits? Thanks.
Roly
P.S. Should I take the amp away from my father for awhile, or just send him to his room?

Sounds like a slow-blow fuse to me.

Always replace with a like item...

[Rolyasm]

Working again

Turns out that was the problem. Yes, it is a slow-fuse. After looking at the unit more, I noticed another fuse on the center channel had been changed also. Must have blown at some point. Now it works great. Kudos to Adcom for designing the protection into their unit. I think I will just tell my dad to live with 5.1, or we'll get him another 2 channel. For now, he'll be in time-out for awhile. Thanks all.
Roly